Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 17

Backstage Debut (6)

* * *

Sitting on a round, hard chair on the set, Jin Jiyu thought,

‘It doesn’t hurt.’

She touched her cheek, but there was no pain. She wondered how she was hit; she was struck hard enough to be thrown, but not even a split lip. It was almost miraculous.

While she rolled her cheek with her tongue, script directing was in full swing over there.

“Here, I think the shot will look better if the rail goes back. Senior Yong Jun-sang is coming straight on, so the extras’ movements won’t overlap.”

“Oh, that’s good. With this composition, we can nail it without a second take.”

“I sometimes wonder what Park Geon really is. Like, is he a human 3D printer or something?”

Ma Dae-hwi was rolling down a hill, chased by debt collectors, and everyone from the director of photography to the lead actors were taking direction from an unknown supporting actor.

Everyone nodded and agreed with Park Geon’s suggestions. Anyone would think he was an action director with decades of experience.

‘Jiyu, have you seen “Seoul’s Dog”?’

‘Ah, the one with Senior Yong Jun-sang and Seo Hee-do…’

‘No, not them. There’s a real draw to it. If there’s a movie with a fresh visual, a unique presence, and even a tiny bit of action, I’ll want that actor in it no matter what.’

She had heard it so much from a film director she met last week for a meeting that she was sick of it.

A hot, unknown actor these days.

Not just a pretty-faced rookie, but a debt collector who really seemed to have come from the underworld.

-Special appearance call? We’ll match the pay.

-Why suddenly a special appearance? What’s the role?

-I don’t know if you’re watching our show. The daughter of the police chief who gets kidnapped by Choi Seung.

So she immediately said OK to Eun Hee-wook’s text, whom she was friendly with. She wondered what kind of person this guy who came to the company was.

Seeing him in person, she understood what they meant by a unique presence.

Just based on his face, he was in the top tier of male actors. He had the impression of a feline predator, and the atmosphere of his single eyelid was also strange.

‘He looks like that now because of what he’s wearing, but if he dressed up and played a decent role…’

He wasn’t an action actor, but a face that would suit a serious drama. He was the type to sweep up not only female fans but also male fans.

“How is he? A find, right?”

Eun Hee-wook, who had come next to her, looked at Park Geon with a face full of fan enthusiasm.

“Please use honorifics in public.”

“Ah, yes, actress Jin Jiyu. I came to hear your thoughts on today’s filming.”

“The atmosphere is good. Everyone is full of energy.”

“Is that all? I heard you matched up with Park Geon earlier, wasn’t there anything else?”

‘There was, a lot.’

Jin Jiyu swallowed hard. Thinking about earlier made her cheeks tingle. How long had it been since she had experienced the air changing as soon as the cameras started rolling?

Actors need time or a routine to immerse themselves in their roles. But just now, she was swept away by the other person’s energy without even having time to concentrate.

It was as if this was the first time she was in an Avante [a popular South Korean compact car], and she was being assaulted by a stalker who had really kidnapped her.

Even though there wasn’t a single line, she couldn’t help but be sincere in order not to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere.

‘I don’t usually get this feeling even when I’m with veteran actors who are good at acting.’

Suppressing the twitching corners of her lips, she nonchalantly handed over the script she had finished reading.

“What are you expecting from a special appearance? If you want to hear more, bring your next project and cast me formally.”

“Hey, you know. There was really no place for the main character this time!”

“That’s enough. The CEO told me not to let you come to the company if you keep doing that. He said you make the actors’ hearts flutter without giving them any projects.”

“I can’t do that. I have to go to see you and Baek Ha-ni tearing each other apart. That’s real practical action.”

Eun Hee-wook, who had been grinning, changed the subject and asked.

“Anyway, thanks. Tell me if you need anything. I’ll grant you anything except casting decisions.”

“Writer, my last project was Director Bong Sang-baek’s movie, you know? I’m so tired of running and rolling around, so I’m not interested in noir synopses for the time being.”

She could see Choi Seung… no, Park Geon, taking out a book as big as a shield and reading it.

Even without makeup, his straight eyes curved like a crescent moon.

“Can I go to the wrap-up party? I’m also a cast member.”

*

Photos from the set were posted on Jin Jiyu’s social media.

Perhaps conscious of the rumors of friendship, it was a solo shot of her holding only the script.

Entertainment reporters who had been watching the celebrities’ Instagrams busily poured out articles.

<'National Warrior' Jin Jiyu, special appearance in well-made noir 'Seoul's Dog'>

Although it was a special appearance, the community’s reaction was explosive due to the addition of a top actress.

Wait, suddenly Jin Jiyu? lol

Jin ㅡ Amen

Jin Jiyu succeeded and is appearing in Seoul Dog

ㄴWhere’s your conscience

Sprinkling an actress on a finished meal… If she’s from an idol background, her acting skills are obvious… Is she friends with the writer?

ㄴOld man, do you even know who Jin Jiyu is?

ㄴReal lol. She dominated the idol scene and came over, and Jin Jiyu topped the Blue Dragon Film Awards [a prestigious South Korean film award] with her acting skills alone.

Honestly, acting skills aren’t her only strength; she’s one of the top three actresses in their 20s with Baek Ha-ni and Song Byeol with her face.

ㄴOur Geon is also a face genius

So what’s her role? If it’s a special appearance, it’ll be an extra for one or two episodes. It wouldn’t be romance, right?

I’m curious about her role lol. Is she going to come out as a policewoman or a nurse next to the main characters?

Prediction) She might be paired with Choi Seung

ㄴIf she films with Jwo Paem, Jin Jiyu will also be “Jwo Paem”… [Jwo Paem is a derogatory term for actors who are considered to have ruined a film]

*

A few days before the last episode was filmed, she received a call from her friends.

They suggested having a small celebration party when she had time. Fortunately, she had no filming until the next day, so Geon put on a baseball cap and went to the meeting place.

“Hello, do you have a reservation?”

“Second floor. My party is already here.”

When he went up to the izakaya [Japanese-style pub] balcony, a lavish spread was already laid out.

Bae Young-ho, already flushed, shook a bottle of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor].

“Oh, a hat. You really look like a celebrity.”

“It’s not like that. Seon-i told me to wear it after I broke the punching machine.”

The arcade incident had already been shared in the group chat and had become a laughing matter for his friends.

Seo Seung-ah, who was bursting with laughter, waved her hand.

“Hey, hey, take it off now. It’s important to expose yourself enough to be recognized.”

“Why expose him?”

“Geon isn’t top-tier in the industry yet. In the early days, you have to get caught naturally in places like this so that even one more community post will pop up and new fans will come in. The final episode’s ratings will also go up.”

Bae Young-ho was impressed.

“Oh. As expected of a lawyer with a salary of 100 million won [approximately $75,000 USD], her skills in planning are different.”

“Of course. I’ve already discussed it with Seon-i. And it’s not 100 million won after taxes.”

When he left the house, she told him to go alone, so it seemed like they had talked about it in advance.

The conversation naturally flowed to Park Geon’s recent situation, especially the hit drama ‘Seoul’s Dog’.

Bae Young-ho was very sorry and confessed that he hadn’t watched it since the second episode.

“I couldn’t get off work… I’m sorry. Yesterday, I was scolded by the director and deputy director in a row and slept at the district prosecutor’s office.”

“Who has time to watch it? Young-ho always makes excuses.”

Seo Seung-ah took out her iPad from her backpack as if she knew it would happen.

“Wow, like a fan club president. Tell Seon-i to get you a stylist.”

Bae Young-ho, who had been sneering, shut his mouth and concentrated when Choi Seung’s scene collection came out.

In particular, he was impressed by the fight scene with the huge foreigner, saying it was well done.

“His power is amazing. There are a lot of kids who did bad things during the reference investigation, but if I scare them by saying I’m friends with Choi Seung, they’ll be scared right away.”

“Right? He’s the hottest thing in the drama scene these days. That’s why Jin Jiyu is coming out.”

“What!”

Bae Young-ho suddenly shouted, drawing attention from the people around him.

“Jin Jiyu is coming out? In Geon’s drama?”

“Have you only been deceived in your life? Check it out yourself.”

Bae Young-ho, who had searched for the article and read it, began to ask, clasping his hands together.

“How was Jin Jiyu? Was she pretty? Did she have a halo like in the movies?”

He didn’t know about the halo… but she was pretty. She sat in one place and kept watching this way, which was a bit burdensome, but he thought it was monitoring.

Geon answered smoothly.

“She was pretty. And tall.”

“Crazy, I’m a little jealous. Jin Jiyu was the celebrity I liked more than my mom when I was young. I even bought a bromide [a printed photograph, especially of a celebrity] when I was preparing for law school, and I put it on my wall to look at whenever I was having a hard time.”

“I’ll get you an autograph later. She’s coming to the wrap-up party.”

“Really? Wow, that’s Park Geon’s loyalty. I’m glad I have good friends.”

Seo Seung-ah, who clicked her tongue as if he was pathetic, asked.

“You said the place you went to before was Roman, right?”

“Yeah, Seon-i’s company.”

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the CEO there. I think he’s hooked on you, so keep an eye on him.”

“That’s just because he’s friends with the writer. He asked me to make a special appearance.”

Bae Young-ho, who had been in a dreamy expression, suddenly said.

“That’s right, Jin Jiyu’s agency is Roman.”

“That’s right. Eun Hee-wook is famous for his wide network, but the support is too strong. I heard that the team leader or something also asked Seon-i to set up a meeting.”

“I haven’t done it yet. The actors I work with told me to set it up after the drama is over.”

Seo Seung-ah asked.

“So, where do you want to go?”

“Agency?”

Geon thought for a moment. A unit or an agency, isn’t it all the same?

In fact, he didn’t care where he went as long as his younger sibling was his manager and they didn’t interfere with his private life.

At that time, the women at the table behind him, who had been glancing at him, cautiously approached.

“Are you actor Park Geon? I know it’s rude, but I’m a real fan…”

Geon readily signed for them. After the women thanked him several times and left, Seo Seung-ah, who had been taking pictures of him signing, shrugged her shoulders as if to show off.

“See? I told you people would recognize you.”

“Oh, yeah. But what are you going to do with the pictures?”

“I’m going to send them to Seon-i later. Natural early autograph cuts of a new actor.”

“…You should really get a job as his stylist.”

However, they underestimated the popularity of ‘Choi Seung’. Screams were heard from over there, and in a few minutes, people flocked to him.

Even the owner of the bar asked for an autograph, and Bae Young-ho muttered with a dazed expression.

“Park Geon’s popularity is no joke. Why did he get so popular?”

“Hey, it’s just the beginning. Soon, we won’t be able to go to places like this together. Fans will flock to us, so we’ll have to book private rooms.”

After emptying one or two more bottles, it was time to get up.

As Geon swiped his card, a man wearing a skull T-shirt hesitated and approached.

“Excuse me…”

Seo Seung-ah, who volunteered to be his day manager, introduced Geon like a promoter.

“Yes, he’s the guy from Seoul’s Dog. Feel free to get an autograph and take a picture.”

“No, I have something to talk to you about… Do you have a boyfriend?”

“…Yes?”

The last one was a pickup attempt that came to Seo Seung-ah. While Bae Young-ho laughed, holding his stomach, she refused with a flushed face, saying she had a boyfriend.

“You had a boyfriend?”

“…Would I? I’m too busy working. Park Geon, you be careful of women too. If a scandal breaks out when things are going well, a swarm of antis [anti-fans] will be raised to crush the sprout.”

Bae Young-ho interjected.

“Hey, don’t you know even after seeing Geon like that? He’s either a stone statue or a eunuch. I never saw him meet a woman even before he went to the army.”

He had met women to the point of being sick of them. After being transferred to the Iron Kingdom, beauties from all over the kingdom came to the warrior’s quarters every night.

From the third or fourth time onwards, he didn’t even look at them. Among the warrior’s companions who tore and killed the Great Demon, there was only one woman.

“Aria Riverlot.”

“Who’s that? Is she a newly debuted idol member?”

“You probably don’t know. She’s not a famous person.”

“Just wait. If it’s not a debut group that’s been hidden, I’ll find her right away.”

While Seo Seung-ah was searching on her smartphone, Bae Young-ho whispered secretly.

“Ahem, Geon. Even if celebrity life is hard, don’t get too addicted to games.”

“Games?”

“These days, Tower of the Holy, Heavenly God Chronicles, and things like that are doing well. It’s just that kind of name? I also play mobile games in the office whenever I have time.”

Somehow, it was strangely close to the answer. Geon picked up a piece of well-sliced wagyu [Japanese beef] and put it in his mouth.

The flesh, which was much softer than the demon dog meat he used to tear raw, was chewed.

“I don’t play games. Unless I go there myself.”

*